Manuel Munoz is a junior in high school, but he's already taking college courses at Austin Community College.
"I'm taking some history courses so I can be ahead both in college and in high school," he said.
Munoz doesn't have to pay a dime. He's part of ACC's Early College Start program. It's one of several programs ACC
offers academically eligible high school students.
ACC President Stephen B. Kinslow said the college encourages minority students to take part in school and hopes they'll be more inclined to stick to the college life.
"It's not just about getting people in the door to college but
helping them to be successful," Kinslow said.
Next fall, ACC predicts 25 percent of it's population will be
Hispanic. If so, ACC will become a Hispanic Serving Institution. Under the current Higher Education Act, ACC would then be
eligible for more state and federal funds.
"We know the things we are doing are working and we know we need additional resources to further expand the outreach to those communities," Kinslow said.
U.S. lawmakers are reviewing the Higher Education Act. The review is done every six years. ACC and other education leaders hope funding for schools that cater to minorities isn't cut.
"Texas risks not having enough educated, highly skilled workers to meet the needs of business and industry. Providing access to
affordable higher education is the solution to those challenges," Kinslow said.
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Minority funding
Many colleges use additional funding to reach out to communities that have lower enrollment rates.
 
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Kinslow and Huston-Tillotson University President Dr. Larry Earvin were among several higher education leaders testifying before members of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness at ACC Monday.
Subcommittee members will take testimony from the hearing and come up with recommendations for the Higher Education Act, expected to be approved in October 2007.
Huston-Tillotson is designated a Historically Black College. The university also benefits from funding available through the Higher Education Act.
"America's 105 Historically Black Colleges have a long and distinguished history of producing high quality graduates that have achieved extraordinary success," Earvin said.
Students who, like Munoz, want to be one of those successful graduates.
"I'm really nervous about going because the whole money situation, because college is really expensive. The courses I'm taking are free. That's why I'm here for the summer," Munoz said.
